Diamondbacks-Rangers Preview

Yovani Gallardo watched as three Texas starters allowed 21 runs in 10 2-3 innings while the Rangers were swept over the weekend.

That’s 21 more than he’s given up in nearly triple the time.

Gallardo looks to extend the majors’ longest scoreless streak of the season Tuesday night as the Rangers begin a two-game set against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks.

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Texas (41-42) was outscored 33-8 in three games against the Los Angeles Angels, culminating with Sunday’s 12-6 defeat as Colby Lewis gave up 10 runs in four innings.

The Rangers, who have lost six straight at home, dipped below .500 for the first time since May 29.

"We were in a very similar situation earlier in the season," manager Jeff Banister said. "You find a way to regroup, continue to play, continue to play for each other and challenge each other to get better every day."

Gallardo (7-6, 2.56 ERA) had his own early struggles, posting a 4.26 ERA through his first nine starts, but he’s since gone 4-0 with a 0.88 ERA in eight outings. He hasn’t surrendered a run in 29 1-3 innings after allowing an RBI groundout in the fourth against Oakland on June 10.

The right-hander gave up two hits in six innings of Thursday’s 2-0 win at Baltimore, marking the fifth time in six outings he hasn’t allowed an earned run.

"Early in the year I was being too fine with my pitches, trying to make the perfect pitch," Gallardo said. "Now I am being aggressive in the zone and making guys swing the bat the last month."

Arizona connected more than Gallardo would’ve liked on April 22, when he allowed a season-worst five runs – three earned – in five innings and took the loss in an 8-5 defeat. He went 7-0 with a 1.86 ERA in his first 10 starts against the Diamondbacks.

Paul Goldschmidt entered that contest 5 for 7 off Gallardo before going hitless in two at-bats, but he did record an RBI groundout. Goldschmidt, voted in by the fans to start the All-Star Game, failed to come through Sunday, though, striking out to end a 6-4 loss to Colorado with the tying run on first base.

Yasmany Tomas homered and drove in three runs while Nick Ahmed went 3 for 5 for the Diamondbacks (40-42), who won the first three games of the series but failed in their 12th attempt to reach .500 for the first time since they were 8-8 on April 24.

Arizona looks to bounce back as it sends the struggling Robbie Ray to the hill.

Ray (2-4, 2.55) went 1-1 with a 0.96 ERA in three starts after being recalled from the minors June 4, but he’s lost his last three while posting a 4.58 ERA. He allowed four runs in six innings of Wednesday’s 4-3 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"It’s baseball. It’s going to happen," Ray said. "This game will humble you real quick, so I’m just trying to stay even keel and know what I need to work on going into the next outing."

The left-hander might not have to face Josh Hamilton, who sat out two of three games against the Angels with a mild groin issue. Banister said Hamilton won’t go on the disabled list after he returned Tuesday from a month-long stay on the DL with a strained left hamstring.

Arizona split two games with Texas in April, but it has dropped nine of 10 meetings in Arlington since 2000.